Date: 08-19-2014

Case Style: A. A. P. v. Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

Case Number: 03-14-00356-CV

Judge: J. Woodfin Jones

Court: Texas Court of Appeals, Third District on appeal from the 340th District Court of Tom Green County

Plaintiff's Attorney: Luisa P. Marrero for Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

Defendant's Attorney: Charla H. Edwards and A. A. P.

Jeffrey D. Chandler for N.J.A. and B.J.A.

James Kneisler for J.K., Junior

Description: Appellant A.A.P. appeals from the trial court’s order terminating her rights to her
three young daughters, B.J.A., N.J.A., and L.J.A. See Tex. Fam. Code § 161.001(1)(D), (E), (O),
(P), (2).1 A.A.P.’s court-appointed counsel has filed a motion to withdraw and an Anders brief,
concluding that the appeal is frivolous and without merit. See Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738,
744 (1967); see also Taylor v. Texas Dep’t of Protective & Regulatory Servs., 160 S.W.3d 641,
646–47 (Tex. App.—Austin 2005, pet. denied) (applying Anders procedure in appeal from
termination of parental rights). The brief meets the requirements of Anders by presenting a
professional evaluation of the record and demonstrating why there are no arguable grounds to be
advanced. See Anders, 386 U.S. at 744; Taylor, 160 S.W.3d at 646–47. A.A.P. was provided with
1 Although the termination order also severed the parental rights of the children’s father, he
is not a party to this appeal.
a copy of counsel’s brief, was advised of her right to examine the appellate record and to file a pro
se brief, and granted an extension of time to file her brief. No pro se brief has been filed.
The parties are familiar with the facts, procedural history, and applicable standards
of review. Accordingly, we will not recite them here. See Tex. R. App. P. 47.4. We have reviewed
the record and counsel’s brief and agree that the appeal is frivolous and without merit. We find
nothing in the record that might arguably support the appeal. See Penson v. Ohio, 488 U.S. 75, 80
(1988); Anders, 386 U.S. at 741–44; Taylor, 160 S.W.3d at 646–47.

Outcome: We affirm the trial court’s order of termination and grant counsel’s motion to withdraw as attorney of record.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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